The No.2 overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft, Derrick Williams, has underperformed throughout his career. He is averaging a mere 9.4 points and 4.6 rebounds while playing 20 minutes just twice in his four-year career. Some believed that his move to Sacramento would finally put his career on the right track but he never found a niche in the Kings rotation and Rudy Gay's arrival further buried him to obscurity. Now he could be on his way out of Sacramento according to Rui Thomas of Cowbell Kingdom:
It's no secret that Williams' time is coming to an end in Sacramento. He is regarded around the league as a reclamation project at best, and at worst, a bust. The Kings can sell him to other clubs as an expiring deal, or let him walk when free agency begins. The Kings want to squeeze the most out of their asset while they can. Middling and bottom-tier clubs would love to trade for Williams' contract to shed long-term salaries, but what Sacramento is currently doing is reminding NBA scouts and general managers that the 6-foot-8, 240-pounder retains his tantalizing potential.
The Kings have actually been increasing William's minutes as of late but not because he is finally breaking out this season but because the team is shopping him. They are apparently advertising Williams to other teams and increasing his playing time would be the perfect way to do it.
Per Hoops Habit:
Since Nov. 20, during a span of five contests Williams has played slightly less than 20 minutes per game. His averages within that time frame include 7.6 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. Good enough to convince any team he's worth trading for, and more than enough to stir confidence in Williams' abilities in a new system.
The Kings can keep on showcasing Williams this season all they want but he won't demand a lot of attention around the league. He has been considered a bust since his departure from the Minnesota Timberwolves and there is little reason to believe that he will be able to breakout from mediocrity after four years in the NBA. The Los Angeles Lakers, though, might just take the 25 year old forward as the team would need all the help they can get with all the injuries they have experienced this season. The Kings, though, may need to sweeten the deal to convince the Lakers to help their division rivals.
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